Vergißmeinnicht, Polka Mazurka, Op. 2 - Josef Strauss

"Forget me Not". Josef Strauss started his series of compositions named after flowers in the year 1855, when the second of his compositions appeared in print. It is characteristic, however, of Pepi Strauss, who was shy and self-deprecating all his life, that he should have put that blue flower at the head of this group, whereas, while it is regarded as a symbol of faithful love, its name nevertheless expresses the anxious request "Forget Me Not!" (Incidentally, this is also the title of the piano edition). The première of the delicate and tender Polka Mazurka Vergissmeinnicht took place on 12th August 1855 at a Sunday concert at Unger’s Casino in Hernals. At that time, Johann Strauss was in Bad Gastein for a cure. Just a short time before, the announcement appeared in all the Viennese newspapers that he had been invited to conduct the concerts in the Vauxhall in Pavlovsk, near St Petersburg, starting the following summer. Josef already knew by then that his brother would accept this prestigious engagement, and that he, Josef, would have to conduct the Strauss concerts in Vienna during that time as an equal partner. Now Josef Strauss could count on his compositions appearing in print. Consequently, he made sure thereafter that all novelties were mentioned in the press. Promptly, the Fremden-Blatt and the Morgen-Post announced the first performance of the Polka Mazurka Vergissmeinnicht. The piano edition of this work was published by C.A. Spina in January 1856.

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"No me Olvides". Josef Strauss comenzó su serie de composiciones con el nombre de flores en el año 1855, cuando apareció la segunda de sus composiciones impresa. Sin embargo, Josef se caracterizaba por ser tímido y sentir autodesprecio toda su vida, por eso puso de titulo esa flor azul a la cabeza de este grupo de composiciones, mientras que, si bien se considera como un símbolo de amor fiel, expresa la ansiosa petición "¡No me Olvides!" (Por cierto, este es también el título de la edición para piano). El estreno de la delicada y tierna Polka Mazurka Vergissmeinnicht "No me Olvides" tuvo lugar el 12 de agosto de 1855 en un concierto dominical en casino Unger en Hernals. En ese momento, Johann Strauss estaba en Bad Gastein recuperandose de una enfermedad. Josef ya sabía que él tendría que conducir los conciertos de los Strauss en Viena durante ese tiempo como un socio igualitario. En consecuencia, se aseguró a partir de entonces de que todas las novedades se mencionaran en la prensa. Inmediatamente, el Fremden-Blatt y el Morgen-Post anunciaron la primera presentación de la Polka Mazurka "No me Olvides". La edición para piano de este trabajo fue publicada por C.A. Spina en enero de 1856.

Painting: Forget-me-not Flowers
Artist: unknown

Slovak State Philharmonic Orchestra Kosice
Manfred Müssauer